Asteraceae (=Compositae) is one of the largest families of plants, comprises about 1,600
genera and 23,000 species. The family has a wide distribution in Brazil occurring in different
vegetation formations. The Disynaphiinae and Praxelinae subtribes belong to Eupatorieae
tribe, which currently has 19 subtribes. The cypselae and its accessory parts (pappus and
carpopodium) have great taxonomic value and can be used as diagnostic to differentiate or
group species and even genera. The boundaries between some genera are not well defined
based on morphological usual features. The study of the morphology of cypselae in
Disynaphiinae and Praxelinae will contribute to the characterization and can understanding
their infrageneric relations. The aim is to describe the structure of the pericarp of the mature
fruit of the representatives of Disynaphiinae and Praxelinae as well as the varieties of
Chromolaena squalida, seeking common morphological characteristics distinct to these
groups. Thereunto, we used a scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The
trichomes, pericarp structure, and accessory parts of cypselae proved useful in taxonomic
groups revealing a close relationship between species of each of the subtribes. These features
were also important to exclude species e. g. Disynaphia praeficta. Our study also supports the
varieties of Chromolaena squalida, allowing the correct identification. The phytomelanin was
present in all cypselae studied, but their arrangement differs among the subtribes. The
correlation between the number of bundles and ribs is not fixed in Praxelinae and ribs were
not always associated with vascular bundles.